How to Troubleshoot an Aloe Vera Plant
The aloe vera plant is easy to grow and can add both color and texture to any backyard landscape or houseplant collection. Gardeners value the plant for more than just aesthetics, since the plant's sap is often used to treat skin disorders and injuries, according to the University of Hawaii. Aloe is relatively low maintenance, but several problems may occasionally arise. Troubleshoot the plant to resolve any potential issues and restore your plant's health and appearance.
Water the aloe vera in moderation. An aloe vera plant that's overwatered may rot, and a plant that's underwatered will shrivel and die. Water the plant only when the soil around the aloe vera plant is dry, according to the University of Hawaii.
- The aloe vera plant is easy to grow and can add both color and texture to any backyard landscape or houseplant collection.
- Gardeners value the plant for more than just aesthetics, since the plant's sap is often used to treat skin disorders and injuries, according to the University of Hawaii.
Provide the aloe vera plant with sufficient sun if the plant appears pale. Aloe vera plants require full sunlight with a minimum of six to seven hours of sun per day. If you cannot modify the plant's environment enough to provide this amount of sun, you'll need to transplant the aloe vera to a new location.
Fertilize the aloe vera plant if it's potted or in very sandy soil, according to the University of California. Otherwise, don't fertilize the plant. If fertilizing, the University of Arizona recommends a standard 10-40-10 fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer according to its labeled guidelines since potency varies by product; spread the fertilizer once in the late spring and again in the middle of summer.
- Provide the aloe vera plant with sufficient sun if the plant appears pale.
- Fertilize the aloe vera plant if it's potted or in very sandy soil, according to the University of California.
Bring the aloe vera plant indoors before winter if your area is susceptible to frost. The extremely high water content of the aloe's foliage makes it very sensitive to cold temperatures, which may result in burn marks on the plant's leaves.
Plant Parts Of Aloe Vera
The leaves of the aloe vera are succulent, thick and fleshy. Each leaf grows 18 to 36 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. The gray-green or pale green upper leaf surface, sometimes variegated with small white dots, is mostly flat, while the lower leaf surface is convex. Aloe vera leaf margins are slightly pinkish and have pale, firm and triangular teeth. They are arranged in an arrow-shaped cluster atop the stalk. Aloe veras tend to flower in spring but may bloom sporadically throughout the year. The plants do produce shallow rhizomes and stolons that allow spreading and the formation of dense colonies of plants. Aloe vera plants are shallow-rooted, an adaptation that allows them to absorb water efficiently when rainfall or watering is infrequent.
- The leaves of the aloe vera are succulent, thick and fleshy.
Plant Parts Of Aloe Vera
The leaves of the aloe vera are succulent, thick and fleshy. Each leaf grows 18 to 36 inches long and 2 to 3 inches wide. The gray-green or pale green upper leaf surface, sometimes variegated with small white dots, is mostly flat, while the lower leaf surface is convex. Aloe vera leaf margins are slightly pinkish and have pale, firm and triangular teeth. They are arranged in an arrow-shaped cluster atop the stalk. Aloe veras tend to flower in spring but may bloom sporadically throughout the year. The plants do produce shallow rhizomes and stolons that allow spreading and the formation of dense colonies of plants. Aloe vera plants are shallow-rooted, an adaptation that allows them to absorb water efficiently when rainfall or watering is infrequent.
- The leaves of the aloe vera are succulent, thick and fleshy.
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References
- "Succulent Container Gardens: Design Eye-Catching Displays with 350 Easy-Care Plants"; Debra Baldwin; 2010
- University of Hawaii: Aloe Vera
- University of California: The Genus Aloe
- University of Arizona: Growing Aloe Vera
- University of California Davis Botanical Conservatory: The Genus Aloe
- University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service: Aloe Barbadensis
- University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: Aloe Barbadensis
- Medicinal Plants 1; Gabriëlla Harriët Schmelzer, et al.
- University of California Davis Botanical Conservatory: The Genus Aloe
- University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service: Aloe Barbadensis
- University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners: Aloe Barbadensis
- Medicinal Plants 1; Gabriëlla Harriët Schmelzer, et al.
Writer Bio
Joshua Duvauchelle is a certified personal trainer and health journalist, relationships expert and gardening specialist. His articles and advice have appeared in dozens of magazines, including exercise workouts in Shape, relationship guides for Alive and lifestyle tips for Lifehacker. In his spare time, he enjoys yoga and urban patio gardening.
